Championing Diversity | International Women's Day at Carbon - Mariann Marsland

International Women’s Day is one of the largest employee engagement events in the world today. Many leaders, employees, customers, students, and community stakeholders worldwide seek to live in a world where women, are treated equally, enjoy opportunities of leadership, and can receive equal rights, opportunities, and access.

As a people focused organisation and an employer of several women in key roles, Carbon is using the opportunity of International Women’s Day 2022 to celebrate the achievements of our team, showcase their talents and help #breakthebias in the finance industry.

In this edition of our International Women’s Day series, we speak to Mariann Marsland, who is a trainee paraplanner, about her role, her achievements and inspiration.

What does your role involve?

As a trainee paraplanner, I prepare client reports and documentations as well as conducting research on investment options that best suit our clients and then updating their plans. I work closely with the planners to assist them in their roles.

What do you enjoy about your job?

I love how there is something different to be learned every day as the industry is always evolving and moving so it’s important to keep up to date with changes. Keeping abreast of these things mean that there are plenty of development opportunities within Carbon.

Can you tell us about something you are particularly proud of?

I’m proud of the fact I achieved my degree in Finance, Investment & Risk at Glasgow Caledonian University, I got a first-class and was only at the university for 2 years after doing a 2 year college course in Business Studies across two different college campuses. I had to be comfortable in the pace of learning changing, the new environment and meeting new people across 4 years whilst excelling in my classes. I was really proud of my achievement.

Tell us about a woman you know who inspires you

I’ve had the opportunity to meet a lot of inspiring women through my personal and professional life, my colleagues at Carbon are doing great things within the business and are always incredibly supportive.

How did you get into the financial planning industry?

I studied accountancy at college, but I didn’t find it particularly inspiring, so I changed my course to business studies, this then lead me to pursuing my degree at Glasgow Caledonian Uni. I then secured a role with a pension provider which fully immersed me into the industry, prior to the role I’m in now.

Why would you encourage other women to join the industry?

Before I started my studies in finance – the whole subject seemed really daunting, however with more women coming into the industry, it will make it more accessible and diverse. It’s great to see younger women having the opportunity to be successful in different roles at Carbon, as well as across the industry as I believe it will change a historic and often inaccurate perception of it being male orientated .